Awesome Athlete Childhood Sports Photos

So much about sports is about the here and now; what have you done for me lately? And in this universe where all things are virtually locked in present tense, an athlete's life and career seems to begin and end with their career.

As a result, little time and energy is dedicated to examining how they got there and where they may go when it's all over, unless there is some obvious and compelling story that demands it.

Who these unique talents were before they become fixtures of the sports page doesn't always have to be inspirational or tragic to be compelling. In fact, juxtaposing who they were as a child with who they are now can be striking by virtue of the contradiction of being so different, yet not.

These are awesome athlete childhood sports photos.

Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars

Instagram ID: bbortles5

Caption: #tbt in my prime

Cory Jefferson, Brooklyn Nets

Instagram ID: coryjay34

Caption: Sophomore year.. #YoungBuckets #BabyFace #KilleenHigh

Kenny Hill, Texas A&M

Instagram ID: kennyhill13

Caption: Trying to be out there on the field like my dad #tbt

Paul George, Indiana Pacers

Instagram ID: ygtrece

Caption: eap! #SwagChampEarly #ThatBoyHadHangtime

Sydney Leroux, U.S. Women’s Soccer

Instagram ID: sydneyleroux

Caption: I used to think SL was just my initials on my hat...

Shane Vereen, New England Patriots

Instagram ID: shaner34

Caption: Flag football circa 1997.. S/O to young Shane for always knowing what team I belong on. #wehad5plays #4ofthemwenttome #popswastheheadcoach

Jarnell Stokes, Memphis Grizzlies

Instagram ID: jarnellstokes

Caption: I've came a loooooong way! 2nd grade! #tbt

Todd Gurley, University of Georgia

Instagram ID: tg4hunnid 

Caption: #tbt Shrine bowl practice hella cold outside

Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Lakers

Instagram ID: blakegriffin32

Caption: tbt: @tdgriff32 and I just ridin' around gettin' it in matching polos #theoriginalduckface

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Instagram ID: s_crosby87

Caption: #tbt

Aaron Murray, Kansas City Chiefs

Instagram ID: aaronmurray11

Caption: Back when I was a true baller

Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers

Instagram ID: kevinlove

Caption: #tbt Ready for Sunday...haircut by Mom #Niners #letsgo

Frank Summers, Buffalo Bills

Instagram ID: franksummers4

Caption: #TBT 7th grade my 1st year ever playing football who knew back then I'd still be playing at the time I'd played every sport,they say you save the best for last in this case it was true!

Phil Pressey, Boston Celtics

Instagram ID: philpressey

Caption: Dang. My homie @bthom11 was tall lol

Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles

Instagram ID: mark_sanchez 

Caption: Got an early start!

Taijuan Walker, Seattle Mariners

Instagram ID: tskywalk44

Caption: #TBT hahaha the hair tho

JJ Watt, Houston Texans

Instagram ID: justinjames99

Caption: No dream is too big if you have the right attitude & work ethic. #JustGettingStarted

Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid

Instagram ID: cristiano

Caption: Little boy, big dreams. #tbt

Jameis Winston, Florida State University

Instagram ID: jaboowins5

Caption: #TBT them Bessemer tiger days them boys was real and ready for whateva I miss those lil league days

Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Instagram ID: miketrout

Caption: #tbt Millville !!!

Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns

Instagram ID: jmanziel2

Caption: First pitch at the Indians game tonight guess it's just meant to be

Josh Huestis, Oklahoma City Thunder

Instagram ID: jhuestis

Caption: And the cutest kid ever award goes to... #tbt

Arian Foster, Houston Texans

Instagram ID: arianfoster

Caption: 7 yrs old.